Johnny L. Houston
Born: November 19, 1941
Birthplace: Sandersville, Georgia
B.A. (1964) Morehouse College; M.S. Mathematics (1966) Atlanta University
Ph.D. (1974) Purdue University
thesis: On The Theory Of Fitting Classes In Certain Locally Finite Groups; Advisor: Eugene Schenkman
personal URL: http://www.ecsu.edu/ECSU/AcadDept/MathandCS/houston/Houston.html
email: jlhouston@mail.ecsu.eduDr. Houston has held the position of Senior Research Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) since 1988. Previously, he served ECSU for four years as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. Houston received his B.A. degree from Morehouse College [1964], his M.S. degree from (Clark) Atlanta University (AU or CAU) [1966] and his Ph.D. degree from Purdue University [1974]. He also attended the U. of Georgia and studied for a year at the Universite de Strasbourg in France [1966-67]. All of his degrees are in the field of mathematics. Moreover, Houston is also a computer specialist and a computational scientist. Prior to his joining ESCU, Houston served as Chair of the Dept. of Mathematical Sciences at (Clark) Atlanta University for six years [1975-81]. Additionally, he taught at Fort Valley St. College (GA), Savannah St. College. (GA), Stillman College (AL), and part-time at Purdue U. (IN), Morehouse College (GA), and Morris Brown College (GA). At Fort Valley St. College (University), Houston held an endowed and distinguished chair; he was the Callaway Professor of Computer Science.
Houston has served in several capacities as a Specialist in Mathematics and/or Computer Science. These include his current and long term position as Executive Secretary of the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM) [1975-2000], a member of the Board of Governors of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) [1992-95], and a member of the Human Resource Advisory Group of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) [1993-98]. Formerly, he served as Vice President for Information for the Association of Computer and Information Science/Engineering Departments at Minority Institutions (ADMI) [1990-94] and a four (4) years appointment with the National Institute of Health (NIH) as a Mathematics/Computer Specialist on NIGMS' MARC Review Committee [1982-86]. He has been a reviewer for the National Science Foundation (NSF), a Consultant for the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (SACS), and he has provided professional service for other organizations and agencies.
Dr. Houston is a co-founder of National Association of Mathematicians (NAM) and has been its Executive Secretary from 1975 until 2000.
For his contributions and services, he has received several honors and awards; including an endowed annual award in his name at Fort Valley State College (University) and NAM's Lifetime Achievement Award [January 15, 1999]. A very active and productive mathematical/computational scientist and educator (served on 3 doctoral committees, supervised 15 Master theses, supervised 10 undergraduate honor theses, coordinated 15 national conferences and has been the PI/Co-PI for several millions of dollars in grant money), Houston holds regular membership in several major professional organizations: AMS, ACM, AWM, NCTM-NC and holds life membership in NAM, MAA and SIAM. In 1996, Houston received the University of NC Board of Governors Teaching Excellence Award. Houston has worked on national projects, in National Scientific Centers and has made over 50 invited scholarly and specialty presentations throughout the USA and abroad. Among other note-worthy accomplishments, he is the author of many articles on the history of African Americans in Mathematics, two bookss: The History of NAM, the First 30 Years; 1969-1999 (240pp), and the recently completed Profiles on American Mathematicians of Diverse Ethnicities, 1699 - 1999 (to appear in 2002). He is listed in American Men and Women of Science (1981), Who's Who in Georgia (1982), Who's Who Among Black Americans (1988), Who's Who in Technology (1989), Who's Who in the South and Southwest (1991), Who's Who in America (1992-93) and the World Directory of Mathematicians (1994/98). Additionally, Houston speaks/reads two foreign languages. He has traveled extensively throughout the USA (all 50 states), and in 30 foreign countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and the Carribeans. He has been active in civic and human rights affairs; receiving the North Carolina's Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 1998. Houston is married to Virginia Lawrence of Macon, Georgia and they have two daughters: Mave Talibra and Kaiulani Michelle. Houston was born in Sandersville, GA; USA.
SELECTED GRANTS
1995-96 NC Biotechnology Center [$32,000]; "HBCU Biotechnology Initiative Grant", Co-PI
1995 NSA [$50,000]; "Undergraduate MATHFest V, NAM-Clark Atlanta U. PD
1994-95 NC Biotechnology Center [$160,000]; "HBCU Biotechnology Initiative Grant", Co-PI
1994 NSA [$50,000]; "Undergraduate MATHFest IV, NAM-NC A&T St. U", PD
1993-97 NSF [$383,823]; "Computational Training for Teacher Enhancement, Action and Motivation"; Camden Co, NC; NC Super Computer Ctr, ECSU, & ECU, Co-PI
1993-94 NSA [$38,500]; "Undergraduate MATHFest III, NAM-So. U, Baton Rouge, LA", PD
1992-94 NIH [$95,000]; "Statistical & Quantatitive Genetics," Supplement-NC St. U Gr., Co-PI
1990-92 NSF [$49,963]; "ECSU 2nd Cent. Thrust for Excellence in Comp Sc", Pl.. Gr, PD
1982-84 DOE-MSIP [$48,656]; "Adv.Computer Lab (Establishment)"; PD
1982-84 DOE-Title III [$143,300]; "Curr.Instruct.Improvement, Acad Comp Lab"; FVSC, PD
1980-82 USAF-Wright Patterson AFB [$148,604]; "Modernization Plans for the AFDL Real TIME HYBRID Computer System, Wright Patterson AFB"; AU-CAU, PI
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